Points of Order — Questions for Written Answer—Standing Order 366

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My point of order relates to Standing Order 366, “Lodging and publication of written questions and replies”. Throughout the last 3 years we have had problems—and we have raised these matters with you and sought your assistance on them—in getting, in a timely manner, replies to questions for written answer, in particular from the Minister of Police. I am not happy that the replies to questions for written answer Nos 8400, 8401, 8402, and 8408, all submitted on 20 July and due for reply on 28 July, arrived at the New Zealand First office only this morning—ironically, or interestingly enough, after the time in which we could, formally, have lodged questions for oral answer so as to follow up on the information that was presented. That Minister has consistently, through his entire era of incompetence, refused your instructions and refused to comply with the Standing Orders. Once again, New Zealand First finds itself disadvantaged by his failure. I ask you, on behalf of all Opposition MPs, to bring the Minister into line and make him do his job in accordance with the Standing Orders.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I thank the member for his comment. I will check on the matter and report back.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I would be obliged if you could also look at exactly the same issue in relation to questions for written answer Nos 8409, 8412, and 8431, in which the Minister was asked about his response and his interest in self-defence in the exercise of citizen powers to help apprehend people, and advised that it has not been possible to obtain the information required to enable him to respond to the question by due date. These are questions about his own actions, and they did not require anyone else’s information.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I thank the member. I will look into the matter and if I understand that that was the response, then under the rules that is the response. It may not be a satisfactory one, but it is a response. However, I am happy to look into the matter.